How To Know if Your Panel Needs Upgraded

Owning a home is great! There are many benefits… you can paint the walls whatever color you like, you can decorate the outside whenever you feel like it, there’s a yard your kids and pets can play in… but there are also some disadvantages – like when things start to break or get old. Sometimes it’s hard to know what is causing something to not work. Figure that out is only half the battle. With electrical issues, it can be hard to even troubleshoot the problem, let alone fix it.

When homeowners have issues with their electrical system, the big question is usually: Do I need a panel upgrade? Followed closely by the second question: How much does a panel upgrade cost? This article should help you figure out if a panel upgrade is necessary and the steps to determining a cost for it.

First off, what exactly is the main panel? The electrical panel is a hub of energy for your home. It connects all the electricity from the power lines outside your home to all the outlets inside your home. This is the place you find with a flashlight when your breakers have tripped off all the lights in your home.

Most days, homeowners don’t even think about their electrical panel. This is why when something goes wrong, it’s often a shock – no pun intended. As with all things in life, electrical panels will grow old and stop working. It’s important to check up on it from time to time. In addition to age and normal wear and tear, there are a few other reasons homeowners should replace their electrical panel.

Fuse Boxes
Homes built before the 1960s were equipped with fuses boxes. These were great back when there wasn’t a need for a lot of electricity. Nowadays, the strain that is put on an electrical box is greater. With circuit breakers, if there is too much power being required, it will trip to stop the flow of energy and protect the home from any dangers. Fuses do not have this safety capability and should be replaced to keep your home and family safe.

Older Homes
If your home was built more than 20 years ago, it might be a good idea to have your electrical system checked out. As with fuse boxes, older homes might have outdated panels or wiring that needs to be upgraded to go with today’s need.

Smells and Sounds
It’s never a good sign to smell burning or hear cracking sounds. If you are experiencing any strange sounds when it comes to your electrical panel, call an electrician immediately to get it looked at. Don’t just stop at your panel though. If you smell or hear anything in or around your outlets or switches, this could also be a sign there is something wrong with your panel.

Frequent Tripping
Even though the circuit breakers trip to provide safety for your home, they shouldn’t be tripping often. This could mean there is too much power being required from it. You may need a panel upgrade to handle all the load needed for your home.

Next comes the cost issues. Every panel upgrade situation is unique. A professional electrician should be able to ask you a few questions and give you a ballpark price before inspecting your home in person.

It is important to pay attention to the signs your home is showing you. The next time you’re searching for your tripped breakers in the dark, consider calling an electrician to see if you need a panel upgrade.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing electrical services to the people of LA county for over 30 years. We are experts when it comes to panel upgrades and house rewires. If you need any assistance, please give us a call.

Need Your House Rewired? Check These Signs

house rewire signs, outlet fireHow important is it really to make sure your house has adequate wiring? In the United States, fire departments across the country respond to over 25,000 home electrical fires every year. The U.S. Fire Administration has reported that these fires have caused 28- deaths, 1,125 injuries, and over $1 billion in property loss and damage.

The major cause in these house fires? Improperly installed outlets and receptacles, interior home wiring, and other miscellaneous home wirings.

These numbers may seem staggering, but there are simple steps to prevent your home from being another statistic. Schedule an appointment for a professional electrician to visit your home to check out the wiring. It may seem like a big expense to have your home completely rewired with a new panel installed, but considering the alternatives, it’s better to play it safe than sorry.

Fortunately, there are warning signs telling you if you need a house rewire. Your electrical system will often show you in advance that things are wrong. Below we have included a list of the signs to look out for.

  • Frequently blow fuses or breakers tripping
  • Overloaded electrical panel
  • Lights flickering or dimming randomly
  • Discolored or hot to touch switch plates, cords, or plugs
  • Frequently burned out light bulbs
  • Strange noises, such as sizzling or buzzing
  • Strange smells, such as a burning smell
  • Sparks when plugging things into outlets
  • Loose outlets
  • Insulation that is cracked or cut
  • Shocks when touching a cord

Other than warning signs, there are other situations that may call for a house rewire. It’s a good idea to have an electrician come out to check on your electrical system every few years. If your home is older than 40 years old or you have had any major renovations or remodels, you may need to have a new panel upgrade to support the use. Below are some other situations you may need a rewire.

  • Relying on extension cords to supply power
  • The use of ungrounded, two-prong outlets
  • The presence of aluminum wiring

Even if you are not experiencing any of these warning signs or solutions, an electrician can give you more details on the state of your electrical system in your home. If you haven’t had it checked in a while, be safe and call an electrician today.

The Electric Connection has been providing the Los Angeles area with house rewires and panel upgrades for over 30 years. If you are experiencing any issues, please call us today!

What Does An Electrician Do?

Los Angeles Electrical ContractorWorking as an electrician you can expect to do everything from installing to maintaining all electrical and power systems found in homes, businesses, or factories. If you take a look a the wiring or control equipment found in a structure, there’s a good chance, as an electrician, you will be working on it. Wherever electricity flows, you can find an electrician.

Like many fields, electricians often specialize in different areas, such as commercial or residential, installation or maintenance. For example, an electrician specializing in construction can often be found installing wiring for new buildings or homes. Residential electricians often focus more on homes and apartment buildings, whereas commercial electricians focus on working in buildings, such as offices or stores. It’s not uncommon to specialize in a multitude of things as well.

There are many tools an electrician must use throughout their day. For example, when an electrician is installing new wiring, you can see them using conduit benders, screwdrivers, pliers, and wire strippers. To test the wiring, tools such as voltmeters or ammeters are used. These tools are used to ensure the job is safe to start and safely completed.

When performing electrical maintenance, the work varies from day to day. There are many different components of electrical items so it greatly depends on where that electrician is working that day. Residential electricians will often provide a variety of jobs for homeowners, such as rewires or new ceiling fan installations. Commercial electrical jobs are more intense and require a bit more training. These electricians will be found repairing motors, transformers, or generators. A great skill that a commercial electrician also has is advising on which equipment works well together and which will cause hazards.

If you are considering becoming an electrician, be prepared to work indoors and outdoors, as well as inside attics and underneath homes. Work can be very strenuous sometimes and require the lifting of heavy items which standing and crouching for long periods of time. There are great risks of shocks, falls, and cuts if you’re not careful or know what you’re doing.

Each state varies in what is necessary to become a journeyman electrician. Schooling and testing and required in order to get your license. Many companies offer jobs as helpers for those who do not yet have their license. This will give a junior electrician the experience necessary to take the next step. You can also learn a lot by working with a professional electrician.

Working as an electrician can be a tough job but can be very rewarding work. To see a homeowner happy with a new installation or to see your work admired by customers can be a great feeling. Electricity runs the world so there should be no shortage of electrician jobs in the country.

The Electric Connection has been providing electrical services to the Los Angeles area for over 30 years. We are proud to provide homeowners and businesses with excellent services. If you need any electrical work done in your home or business, please contact us.

Dangers of Ignoring a House Rewire

electrician installing new wiringHow dangerous is it, exactly, to ignore a house rewire for just another year? Will the old wiring in your home cause any damages if left alone? Fires and electrical shocks are always a concern when it comes to the electrical system in an older home. That’s why it’s important to not put off a house rewire if one is recommended by a professional electrician.

It’s hard to imagine the devastation of a house fire unless you’ve gone through one. It could easily be prevented by having an electrician inspect the wiring in your home to see if a house rewire is necessary.

Since the wiring is out of sight, it’s easy to overlook it and push it out of your mind. Other than simply just having an older home, what sort of warning signs should you look out for?

Knob and Tube Wiring

Older homes were built with a wiring technique called knob and tube. This old-fashioned system uses copper conductors supported by knob insulators passed through porcelain tubes. Knob and tube wiring is single-insulated and can be compromised if not meticulously kept up with.

Older Insulation

In addition to being used with knob and tube wiring, insulation can cause issues with other types of wiring. Wiring can and will deteriorate and when it does it can leave exposed wires. If these wires come into contact with the insulation in your walls, you could have a pretty messy situation on your hands.

Haphazard Modifying of Wiring

A lot of people think they can tackle the troubleshooting of their electrical systems by themselves. DIYers can often cause more problems than they fix which is why all things electrical should be left up to the professionals.

Lower Amperage

Today’s technology is more advanced than ever so if your home still relies on a low amperage panel, it might not be up to date. If you notice a lot of breakers tripping, it might mean you are putting too much strain on your electrical panel.

What should you do if you think you need a house rewire? Call an electrician to come out and assess your situation. They might even be able to help over the phone. Often a house rewire consultation will be free of charge since it’s such a large job. Be sure to check reviews of any electricians you find to see if they can perform your job. They should be able to also help with any permitting that is required.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been rewiring homes in the area for over 30 years. Our teams of electricians are all licensed, insured, and bonded, bringing you the best electrical services in the area. If you think you might need a house rewire, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

10 Tips For House Rewires for Older Homes

rewire older homeOlder homes are usually the ones that benefit the most from a whole house rewire. This is due to the fact that the electrical systems found in old homes are not up to date with modern technology and might not be able to handle to loads that are thrown at them. With today’s new appliances, gadgets, and tech, more and more pressure is put on a home’s electrical system.

Computers, 3D televisions, newer refrigerators – these weren’t around when historically homes were built and wired. Upgrading an older home’s electrical system is definitely a task one must take on to bring it up to date. It’s important to do an electrical system update with care to not damage an older, historically home or building.

How can an older home be rewired while still keeping the history intact? Below are some tips that will ensure your home will still feel the same after a rewire. These tips will help reduce the number of holes in the floors, ceilings or walls and make the whole process of a house rewire a little more smooth.

1. Create a list of everything you’ll be using in your home that requires electricity. Call this an “electrical inventory”. Make sure to list where you will be using these items as well. This will help to match your electrical system with your electrical needs. When you make a list of items and where you’ll be using them, you’ll help the electrician with the framework of the job.

2. Check with your city about local codes and pull the necessary permits. Electrical code will tell you how many outlets you can put in each room as well as what kind of wiring you need. An electrician may be able to help you with this.

3. Now is the time to decide if you are okay with just running the electrical wiring or if you should run other things such as data or security. With modern wiring, you get more than just electricity. Keep in mind too that wireless systems are getting more cheaper as well as become more sophisticated.

4. Use the list you created in step one to set a plan of action. This will help your electrician greatly. Take stock and decide what you want to be done, how you want it done, and when it should be completed.

5. Make sure to keep an eye out for existing infrastructure. Check it twice and drill once. Avoid any plumbing or existing wiring in your home to prevent damage.

6. Be sure to get everything in writing. From the city officials all the way to your electrician, get everything you talk about in writing so the job gets finished and finished correctly.

7. Find a good electrician. A good electrician will know what they’re doing when it comes to a house rewire for an older home. It may be a more difficult job, but finding the right electrician for your house rewire is very important.

8. Be sure to remember the cleanup process. A house rewire can be a messy job. Including the demolition and reconstruction process in your plans is very important in order to scope out the whole job.

9. When you are adding an outlet in an area that is going to get a lot of use or a large appliance is going to be there – such as a refrigerator – be sure to use a dedicated circuit. This is where the wire run right from the circuit breaker to the outlet and it is not shared with any other items. This will help to reduce the load on the electrical system and will stop tripping from happening.

10. Keep the feel of your historic home be integrating plates and switches that match the feel of your home. There are many places that will supply hardware to match your home’s atmosphere.

These are just ten tips to keep in mind when rewiring your older home. An electrician can better prepare you for the job when the time comes. If you have any questions, you can reach out to a local electrician to get answers.

The Electric Connection has been supplying the Los Angeles area with electrical support for over 30 years. House rewires and panel upgrades are our specialty. If you think your older home needs a house rewire, please give us a call at (818) 446-0888.

3 Ways to Prepare for House Rewire

open electrical panel with wires running to itRewiring a home can be stressful for many homeowners. It can be chaotic and many times seeing your home that messy may make you feel distraught. It’s best to find an electrician who can really emphasize with these feelings and help make you feel at ease with the whole process.

Many electricians know that homeowners do not look forward to this process even though it will help the integrity of their home. Electricians who keep the mess to a minimum and clean up after themselves are the ones to look for. But the mess is just one aspect of the process. How do you prepare for a house rewire on your own?

Below are three ways you can start to mentally prepare for a house rewire. These are also good questions to ask your electrician if you think you need a rewire but aren’t sure.

Figure out what actually needs to be rewired

It’s important to know what areas in your home need rewiring and which do not. It’s possible that you may only need a partial rewire. If this is the case, your electrician will inform you. An older home that has not been rewired will likely need a to be completely rewired. An electrician should be able to go through your home and let you know what needs to be done.

Figure out why you need a rewire

If you have a home that was built before the 1950s, there’s a good chance you need a rewire. This is due to the fact that anything built before 1950 used wiring that is now out of date. With the advancement of technology, our reliance on energy has grown. Older homes’ wiring simply cannot handle the strain we put on it. Upgrading your wiring will allow for a safer and more up to date home. There are many other signs you need a rewire, you can read about them here.

Figure out how much power your home needs

When you rewire your home there is usually a reason behind it. If you’re rewiring because you need additional power, this may be a good time to also upgrade your electrical panel. This will allow you to safely add more appliances without worrying about tripping the breakers.

If you think you need a rewire, it’s best to contact an electrician to find out. You may save a lot of money by having an electrician visit your home to assess your situation. A professional electrician will likely offer a free estimate to go over your house rewire.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing electrical services to Los Angeles and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. Our team travels around Los Angeles every day performing troubleshooting service calls, house rewires, panel upgrades, EV charger installations, and more. Call us today to see what we can do for you.

How To Install An EV Charger

How To Install An EV ChargerIf you’re considering buying an electric vehicle, you’ll want to have the best charging device for the car. There are two options when it comes to charging your new vehicle. These are referred to as Level 1 and Level 2 charging.

  • Level 1 Charging: Plug your car right into an outlet with the cord it comes with. You will get a low-level charge that is ideal for those who drive short distances and don’t deplete the car’s entire battery life. It takes about an hour to get 4.5 miles of battery back into your car. A full night of charging, or about nine hours, would be needed to replenish the whole battery.
  • Level 2 Charging: Charge your car with an EV wall mount or use a NEMA 14-50 outlet. This type of charge fills your battery up quicker. Different cars charge in different ways but with a Level 2 charge, it takes about an hour to get around 26 miles of power back into the car. This might be a more expensive route than Level 1 charging but if your commutes are longer this is the way to go.

How to Install an EV Charger?

When you decide to buy an electric vehicle and want to go with the wall mount, the next step is to install one in your home. Please note that you should have experience with electrical systems before performing any work in your home. If you are unfamiliar with installing electric car chargers, please consult with a professional electrician.

If you do not have electrical expertise, there is still good news. Many utility companies offer incentives for purchasing an electric vehicle, its charging station, and having one professionally installed. Be sure to contact your local utility company to find out what offers are available to you.

The first step in installing an EV charging point for your home is choosing it. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the US, except for Teslas, all use the same type of plug, an SAE-standard J1772. These may all work in the same way, but some chargers are very different than others. Below are some things to consider when picking out your new charger.

  • Cost – EV chargers can range from $500 to over $1000 depending on a variety of different things. The two main contributors to the price are cord length and amperage.
  • Installation type: A Level 2 charger is meant to be permanent. It is mounted to the wall using a bracket. However, there are some chargers that can be removed in case you want to take it with you if you move from your home.
  • Amperage: Level 2 chargers are available in 16 or 30 amp versions. 30 amps should be the default. It allows for the maximum charge and, if you decide to purchase another car, will allow for charging two cars. 16 amps are perfectly fine for charging a single vehicle, such as the Volt.
  • Length of Cord: This will depend on the location of the charger and where it has to plug into your car. 16 to 18 feet should suffice but the longer the cord you need, the more you will have to pay.

Once you find the perfect EV charger, the next step is to make sure your home is ready for charging your electric vehicle. You must make sure you have enough electrical service in your home before you can charge your car. If you don’t have enough power, you could constantly be tripping the breakers in your electrical panel. Older wiring in your home might also be an issue. If you have knob and tube or aluminum wiring, your home might need a rewire before you can add the extra load of a car charger.

You can see how important it is to consult with an electrician before attempting to wire an EV charger in your home. A lot of things can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s best to give a local electrician a call to see if they can help you out. It may cost less in the long run.

The Electric Connection has been providing electric vehicle charging installations to the people of Los Angeles for several years. We have at least one electrician in the city every day doing an EV charger installation. Our technicians also know EV charging for businesses. Please call us today to learn more about what we can offer you. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

Cost of House Rewire in Los Angeles

electrician pulling wires through wallOne of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to any electrical job is “how much will this cost?” This is especially true with any major home electrical jobs. When you’re considering rewiring your entire home, this can be quite scary. Many of our customers pick up the phone and immediately ask, “what does a house rewire cost?” The question of cost is probably one of the first to pop into your mind and well as why rewire a house in the first place.

So, how much does a whole house rewire cost? This honestly depends on how large your home is and how much of it actually needs to be rewired. Depending on your location, for a 1,500 to 3,000 square foot home, you can be looking at anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000. When contacting electricians who specialize in house rewires, be sure to give them the size and age of your home. This will help them give you a more accurate estimate. Other aspects that go into determining the cost of a house rewire are access issues and any odd areas in your home. These two will cause the price to go up a bit more since it will be a harder job to complete.

What if you can’t afford to rewire your house?

If you can’t afford a complete house rewire, don’t fret – be sure that it is necessary first. Some houses only need partially rewired. This should help reduce costs. Make sure that you need any sort of rewire in the first place. The signs that are associated with a house rewire can also be associated with other things. You may need a new panel, outlets may be bad, light fixtures may have broken. Consult with an electrician before you take out a loan to make sure a house rewire is necessary.

House Rewire: What to expect?

When a house rewire is completed, all the old wiring will be removed and replaced with new, up to date wiring. This wiring is safer than that found in older homes as it doesn’t get hot when insulated.

There are various ways a house can be rewired. One way is by removing the walls and replacing the wiring behind them. The electrician will then repair the holes made in the walls. This can be very expensive and time-consuming.

Another way to replace the wiring is through basements or crawlspaces. This allows the electrician to replace the wiring without having to remove or cut up walls. Electricians can also use rods and a thin metal line to fish the wires through the walls without tearing them down. A small patch might be necessary but the walls will remain intact. These methods will also help reduce the cost of the job.

In order to get a more accurate cost for a whole house rewire, it’s best to call your electrician for an estimate. They should be able to provide you with an accurate estimate based on a few questions about your home.

The Electric Connection has technicians who excel at house rewires. Our electricians are licensed, bonded, and insured to provide you with the most quality electrical services around. Los Angeles residents and businesses owners can depend on The Electric Connection to get their jobs done with ease and efficiency. Call us today to get on the schedule!

Los Angeles Electrician Reviews

los angeles electrician reviewsIf you need a panel upgrade or new wiring in your home, you need to find the best Los Angeles electrician possible. It may seem easy to install an outlet or repair a light fixture, but it’s best to go with a professional. Los Angeles is a big city with lots of options when it comes to electricians. How can you be sure you’ve found the best one for you?

When should you call an electrician near you?

Actually, if you need electrical work done on your home or business, there’s very little reason not to call an electrician. Working with your electrical system can be very dangerous. It’s possible to get a shock that can seriously injure or fatally hurt you. Below is a list of situations a professional electrician in Los Angeles should be called to your home:

  • Lights flickering
  • Outlets overloaded
  • Frequently tripping breakers/circuits
  • Old outlets

If you feel any hesitation at all performing an electrical job in your home, please call a local electrician. Licensed electricians have the skills, tools, and experience to complete electrical jobs correctly and safely.

Finding electrician reviews in your city is easy! In fact, all you have to do is simply Google, “electrician reviews Los Angeles” and you’ll have a wide variety of search results to choose from. Many electricians use third-party websites to display and collect reviews. Websites such as Yelp, HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List, and even Google allow customers, much like yourself, to leave reviews after an electrician has completed a job. Read over the reviews to make sure they are a competent contractor who can complete your job.

You can also usually find electrician reviews on their respective websites. Most electrical contractors have a website that displays their services, company information, and reviews left by other customers. While you’re on their website, be sure to find out how to contact them. It’s best to ask electricians questions before you schedule them to come out and do work. Here are some helpful questions to ask before starting a job with your new electrician:

  • Are you licensed, bonded, or insured?
  • What is your warranty process?
  • Do you offer free estimates / how much will my job cost?
  • Can you perform this type of work?

Never, ever hire just anyone before asking questions about your job and finding out if they are a professional. Be sure to do your research before deciding on your next electrician. Los Angeles electrical projects need to be handled with care – make sure to choose wisely!

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles is proud to have provided the Los Angeles area with electrical services for over 30 years. Located in Tujunga, CA, The Electric Connection has many crews of electricians traveling all over the Los Angeles area performing EV charger installations, panel upgrades, house rewires, and more. If you need an electrician, Los Angeles, give The Electrician Connection a call today! Our dispatch team is in the office Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm to answer any questions you might have and get your next electrical project scheduled.

Los Angeles Home Electrical Inspection

home electrical inspectionThere are certain times when an electrical home inspection is recommended. If you are just purchasing a home it’s a good idea to have it inspected so you can be sure you’re not buying into any major issues. When you have lived in your home for a while or if it is an older home, an inspection is a great idea to ensure that everything is running properly. Finally, if you are adding an appliance or doing any large renovations, you should have you electrical checked out to make sure that it can handle the new technology you’re bringing into your home.

To get the best results, a licensed electrician must perform this home electrical inspection service. The electrician will be able to perform several tests on your electrical system whereas a homeowner or buyer can only visually inspect it. When you hire an electrician for this safety procedure, you can be sure they will have the tools necessary to perform the job as thoroughly as possible.

Why Is A Home Electrical Inspection Important?

The NFPA, or National Fire Protection Agency, reports that between 2007 and 2011 there were more than 144,00 house fires caused by electrical failure. Many of these could have been prevented if a simple inspection had been completed. A home inspection can reveal electrical issues such as deficiencies or fire hazards.

What Does A Home Inspection Consist Of?

Many electricians offer an inspection of home electrical system as a service. Most electricians have a standard checklist for electrical home inspections. It can vary from contractor to contractor but at the least the following should be performed:

  • Verification grounding is present
  • Light bulb wattage verification
  • Inspection of switch and outlet operations
  • Examination of ARCIs
  • Make sure there are no shock hazards present
  • Verification of lighting safety
  • Proof of surge protection
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detector testing
  • Electrical panel inspection
  • Review of outdoor electrical system

Once the inspection is completed, an electrician will provide you with a detailed report concerning your electrical system. The more serious issues will be listed first. After the inspection is completed, the electrician will walk you through the issues that are present in your home. He or she will provide instructions on how to proceed with any dangerous problems that might be in the report.

Home Inspection for Electrical DIY

A licensed electrician in necessary to have an official report but if you want to just check the safety of your home you can visually inspect the major problem areas.

The first place to look is your electrical panel. This is where your home gets its power from. It’s the grey or metal box that has all the fuses or circuit breakers in your home. When inspecting your panel be sure to note the age, any wear and tear, or any dark or smokey debris. If you notice that the panel is older and outdated, it may be time to have a panel upgrade performed.

Next, check out the wiring in your home. This one might be a little more tricky as most of the wiring inside your walls. If you have an attic or a crawlspace that is easily accessible, see if you can see the wiring that way. Knob and tube wiring or aluminum wiring pose potentially hazardous settings in a home. Be sure to call an electrician to inspect this wiring if you find it.

Any outlets that are near water must be fitted with GFCIs. This includes outside outlets as well as those near sinks or tubs. Be sure to check them periodically to ensure the safety features are working.

Inspecting your home electrical system yourself can save money but will not be as thorough as an official home electrical inspection done by a professional electrician. If you have any concerns, please contact a professional to inspect your home.

The Electric Connection has provided homeowners with safety inspections for over 30 years. We are proud to service the Los Angeles area. Homeowners and businesses are encouraged to call The Electric Connection for their next electrical project. We are happy to help! Learn more about our electrical inspection services here.